WARWICK SMITH/Things
Troops from the Mossos d’Esquadra, Fire and Emergencies and ambulances attended the scene on Thursday night.
About 80 people have been evacuated from their homes after a man barricaded himself inside a home in Levin, according to police.
A standoff with armed police was underway in Bledisloe St, Levin, on Thursday evening.
Nearby residents have been asked to leave their homes as a precaution, police said. The armed crime squad was at the scene.
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“We know it can be upsetting to be asked to leave home, especially when we can’t say much about the incident that has led to this, but public safety must always be our number one priority,” said Insp. Sarah Stewart.
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“The welfare of displaced residents is very important and we are grateful to Horowhenua District Council staff who help with temporary accommodation, when displaced residents do not have family or friends nearby to stay with.”
Police negotiators were speaking to the Bledisloe St resident involved in the incident on Thursday evening.
“This specialized team is highly skilled and works hard to help resolve incidents without loss of life, injury or property damage,” Stewart said.
WARWICK SMITH/Things
Police have cordoned off Bledisloe St in Levin.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand and ambulance personnel attended the police response on Thursday night.
There were cordons near the house, while more than a dozen police officers were seen in the area.
Bledisloe St will remain cordoned off between Freyberg and Cobham St until the incident is resolved and the public is asked to avoid the area until further notice.
Freyberg St resident Rob Anderson said he was evacuated from his home by police five minutes after arriving home from work, with an officer saying evacuees could go to the local library.
Anderson went out to lunch and was able to get home at 9:30 p.m.
Bledisloe St was still blocked at the time, as was east Liverpool St and Cobham St, he said.
WARWICK SMITH/Things
Police negotiators were speaking to the Bledisloe St resident involved in the incident on Thursday evening.
Earlier, Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden said about 80 people had used a wellness center the council had set up.
Wanden said the council had provided comfort, food and, on the advice of police, accommodation with family and friends or in motels.
“I think we’ve looked after them really well, you know in a slightly out of the ordinary situation, both the staff and the community have been able to come together and support each other.”
Most people were very understanding, but there was some anxiety, he said.
WARWICK SMITH/Things
More than a dozen police officers could be seen on Levin Street Thursday night.
The reason for the evacuation “is something we haven’t shared with them,” Wanden said, since it was a police incident.
“Communications about the incident itself will come from the police.”
When asked when people could return to their homes, he said that was a question for the police.
Police have described the current situation as a self-harm incident.
